Back in the 1990s, Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan made a movie called Addicted to Love. A supposed love story, it revolved around two strangers trying to break apart the relationship of their ex-lovers.

The film was as cheesy and as sweet as one would except save for one thing. A crucial part of it deals with spying aka voyeurism. Voyeurism, peeping toms, or covert spying on another person still feels like taboo even in a country like the UK. The reality is it’s common.

In fact, statistics suggest that the number of offenders has already increased. From 2016 to 2017, it went up by 12%.

How Voyeurism Works

One of the best strategies in fighting against voyeurism is installing UV window films from Berkshire. It can significantly limit what the other person sees from the outside. If you want to fully appreciate this tech, though, it’s best to know more about voyeurism. How does it happen?

According to MSD Manuals, voyeurism is a form of paraphilia. It is an abnormal behavior characterized by having chronic or consistent fantasies or urges on both objects and unsuspecting individuals.

A voyeur experiences arousal from observing or spying a person who has not given consent. This victim might be in the act of disrobing or engaging in an intimate activity with another.

Some people eventually develop a voyeuristic disorder, which is a mental condition. In this situation, the offender can feel extreme distress or inability to function because of their behavior. Some even eventually act on their fantasies. Note, though, that not all voyeurs and peeping toms develop the voyeuristic disorder.

In this age of tech, voyeurism now happens in many ways. One is through a hidden camera. The offender might enter your home illegally to install these covert cameras in strategic locations. Others learn to hack your web cameras.

A number, however, remains “old-fashioned.” They can peek through the windows. Voyeurs across you can use binoculars or conveniently observe you when you’re not looking in case you don’t have a habit of closing your curtains.

Learn to Protect Yourself

What you don’t know won’t kill you, the saying goes. In voyeurism, the burden lies on the offender. The problem is a growing number of these cases go out of hand. Victims can find themselves in adult sites or, worse, experience assault.

In the UK, voyeurism is a crime, but others find the penalty less harsh. It results only in up to two years of imprisonment and a fine that’s equal to 50% of the offender’s weekly income. You, however, can learn to protect yourself and even discourage these peeping toms from their behavior:

• Recommend a more active foot patrol around the neighborhood.
• Add a window film to reduce your exposure.
• Close your curtains, especially when you’re doing something private.
• If you caught someone, report it.

The idea of someone spying on you and even getting arousal from it is unnerving—but it’s also real. The sooner you accept this reality, the more urgent you can protect yourself and your loved ones.